On a recent sunny February day, the Solar Home nestled in a parking lot at University of the Incarnate Word produced more electricity than it was consuming and was sending that energy to help power a nearby campus building.

This 750-square-foot structure facing due south can produce 30 kilowatt hours of electricity on sunny days, but only uses about 20 kilowatt hours. It feeds the excess to the university’s power grid.

The home was designed and built under the direction of UIW Department of Engineering and Physics Chair Alison Whittemore, Ph.D. and Project Manager Daniel Potter.

Engineering students originated it in 2008 when they decided to compete in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon. In that competition, collegiate teams produce energy-efficient houses powered by photovoltaic panels.

The project design did not make the Solar Decathlon finals in 2011, but it later received a Department of Education grant, which funded construction.

Students designed the 760 square-foot house to allow for LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) from the U.S. Green Building Council, and received the highest possible certification, Platinum.

Other environmentally friendly aspects include a foundation that minimizes impact on the ground by using 23 screw-in posts, rather than poured concrete; a roof that channels rain into a tank for watering the native plants in the “yard;” location of all plumbing along a single interior wall to minimize travel distance for water; various recycled materials, including countertops made of recycled glass and decking made from recycled milk bottles; and use of paint free of volatile organic compounds.

Q What have you learned from this project?

A The astonishing amount of coordination and cooperation needed between all the different parties involved in a project such as this. And that SIP (Structural Insulated Panels) are fantastic. They keep the house cool in summer, warm in winter, and the whole structure can be put together in less than a week.

Q How did the project figure into the curriculum?

A As part of the learning experience, two semesters of special topics courses were created to support and monitor the construction process. Every semester, students worked in groups on particular sections of the house. They spent time researching sustainable building materials and turning over plans to incoming seniors. After choosing products, it was also the students’ responsibility to apply for permits, seek permits at City Hall, and interact with subcontractors.

Q What is the most important lesson for the students?

A It’s all about the planning and cooperation. Students worked on small teams in a typical class but had to learn how to handle multiple entities on this project. Their communication skills improved tremendously. The technical stuff is important, of course, all the structural loads and electrical issues, but it doesn’t happen until you gather all the right people and materials at the right time.

Q How can this type of project become widespread commercially?

A The costs of this project are not that out of line with regular commercial building. However, since it is so new, not a lot of builders are doing it (they are doing conventional wood framing). As a result the companies that are using Structural Insulated Panels and green construction charge a pretty good premium for their crews.

Q Why is this important to the “average” consumer/home buyer?

A Every consumer and home buyer needs to think about sustainable building practices. My neighborhood was once full of lush grass lawns, and over the last five years the lawns have all burn up in the summer droughts. From electricity to water to building materials to waste treatment, we all need to be more aware of the scarcity of resources.

JOEL WILLIAMS is a San Antonio freelance writer.

The structure also includes Butterfly Roof to allow for maximum capture for rain water and has a Helical Pier Foundation System to minimize the disturbance of native soils.